Liverpool forward Federico Chiesa returns to the Italy squad after a two-year absence for the World Cup play-off against Northern Ireland in Bergamo on Thursday (19:45 GMT). There's no place in the squad for Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, while Cagliari defender Marco Palestra gets a first senior call-up. Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill named his squad on Monday, with Sunderland defender Dan Ballard included despite a hamstring issue. Midfielders: Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan), Bryan Cristante (Roma), Davide Frattesi (Inter Milan), Manuel Locatelli (Juventus), Niccolo Pisilli (Roma), Sandro Tonali (Newcastle). Forwards: Federico Chiesa (Liverpool), Francesco Pio Esposito (Inter Milan), Moise Kean (Fiorentina), Matteo Politano (Napoli), Giacomo Raspadori (Atalanta), Mateo Retegui (Al-Qadsiah), Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta).

Source: BBC March 20, 2026 23:43 UTC